New drivers 'need to be monitored'

New drivers need to be monitored closely during the first year after passing their test, most parents say.

According to an online survey conducted jointly by road safety charity Brake and solicitors Leigh Day & Co, 80% of parents back temporary curbs on new drivers such as a curfew on night driving.

Meanwhile, 94% of parents of drivers aged 17 to 21 years-old fear for their son or daughter's life if they are driving or getting a lift with another young friend.

Other restrictions like a lower drink-drive limit and a limit on passenger numbers have also been suggested by the respondents to the survey, which involved 1,000 parents.

A comprehensivecar insurance policy is also crucial for the owners of vehicles which are likely to be driven by new drivers.

"Parents of young drivers are worried and rightly so - a horrifying number of road deaths and serious injuries involve young people - but there are things they can do," said Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer.